TOKYO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Gold prices firmed on Tuesday as the dollar stayed weak after easing concerns about debt woes in Dubai improved risk tolerance. Investors were bracing for comments by the U.S. Federal Reserve, which is to start its two-day meeting later in the day and will likely close out the year by repeating a pledge to keep interest rates extraordinarily low for an extended period, even as it makes a nod to signs of economic recovery. [ID:nFEDAHEAD] FUNDAMENTALS * Spot gold stood at $1,127.85 per ounce, up 0.2 percent from New York's notional close of $1,126.20. * Bullion hit a four-week low of $1,109.10 on Friday. * Spot gold is trading about $100 below a record high of $1,226.10 reached on Dec. 3 as investors have lightened positions since then. * U.S. gold futures for February delivery rose 0.4 percent to $1,129.00 per ounce. The contract finished $3.90 higher at $1,123.80 an ounce on Monday on the COMEX division of the NYMEX. Futures were also off about $100 from a record peak of $1,227.50 hit on Dec. 3. * The world's largest gold-backed exchange-traded fund, SPDR Gold Trust , said its holdings rose 0.304 tonnes on Monday, marking the first rise since Dec. 3. [GOL/SPDR]

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